Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-02-26


Juliet of the footlights was for ever annihi
lated in his mind. In her stead stood ar
undeniably handsome. accomplished WON
an of the world, gay, good humored, anc
apparently good hearted; but SO utterly de
void of all sentiment as to frankly avow 9
longing for opera boutfe. By all the rules
of common sense, our hero being disiilu
stoned, should have at once fallen out o.
love. This, however. did not happen
After the first shock of finding her so dit
ferent in her ideas from what he expected
was over, the SUFFICIENTLY of his passion
asserted itself, and his mind soon formed q
fresh ideal of female perfection, OF which
she was again the incarnation.
He had but two days in which to COM
pose his second recitation. Striking new
chord, he wrote in a light cynical vein
such as he thought would please the fail
actress, judging from her conversation with
him. He wrote hard at ii, polishing anG
repolishing every line, until it reached, as
he thought, as near as possible to a state o.
brilliant perfection When the eventful
Friday night arrived, he started fol
Mademoiselle's residence with much
greater feeling of confidence than he hao
experienced on the former occasion. He
was the first arrival, and while lie sat in
the drawing-room, Mademoiselle Andersen
and Mrs. Eskell entered. On his first visit
he had not paid much attention to the
appearance of the former, and he was al
most surprised to see how exceedingly
pretty she was The old lady was very
laxative, and was not long in making him
aware she was a distant relative Of
Mademoiselle's. and always played
Nurse to her Juliet. Mademoiselle
Andersen, whose father was celebrated
violinist in Stock holm, had just completed
her course of training for the lyric stage al
the Conservatoire. and was now on a visit
to her aunt, to benefit by her instructions
in the technicalities of stage business. On
being invited by Hector the young lady
sat down to the piano. and sang an exquis.
lite Danish ballad, which fairly charmed
him. The company now began to arrive,
and he conducted the two ladies down to
the supper-room.
Exceedingly pretty, and exceedingly hap
py, too, did Mademoiselle d'Esterre look,
as she sat at the head of the table listen
ing to the cheerful conversation of her
guests. There were not more than dozen
and a half present-four ladies and four
gentlemen of them being members of
MademoiselleS company. After supper
and due period of yivacity over the wine,
the fair hostess called for silence, and init
mated her intention of reciting Mr.. Mac
kinnon's new poem. The author felt him.
self blushing to the tips of his ears as he
heard the-to him familiar lines tripped
off IN her meiodious voice with rare elocu-
tionary art. Atthe conclusion the applause
was great and the gentlemen of the press
declared with one voice that it was the best
thing of the season. and that the author
would be sure to make his mark if he ap-
piled himself to dramatic literature. With
toast and song the hours sped pleasantly
away till o'clock, when the cabs began to
arrive for the guests. Hector had been all
night in. brilliant spirits, and fairly aston
ished himself with the smartness Of his
witty repartees and the ease with which he
accommodated himself to n society so diff
ferent from that to which he had been ac-
customed. His intoxication of bliss reached
its climax when, as the dispensing company
were singing "Auld Lang Syne," in the
lobby. his hostess whispered in his ear !:
Wait; wish to speak with you. Go up
to the drawing-room."
He did so, and awaited her coming with
trembling, eager impotence. When she
came into the room she looked grave, even
sad, he thought. We may never see each
other again, Mr. Mackinnon, and / cannot
think of letting you go away tonight with
out some recompense for the pretty poem
you wrote for me. Pray accept of this in
recognition of it, and-and as a token of
my regard for vou," and she handed him a
magnificent cluster diamond ring
His head swan he scarcely knew what
he was doing and he fell on his knees be-
fore her.
"Oh, Mademoiselle " he cried, his voice
hoarse with emotion; you are an angel J
infinitely 700 good for me-too good for
any one on earth. Oh, how can | dare
look in your sweet face and utter the words
which burn on my tongue, Forgive me
for my presumption in daring to say Sc,
but | love you-love you with my whole
heart and soul. Dare ask you to be my
wife ?"
Mademoiselle d'Esterre at first looked
frightened. thinking her friend had taken
leave of his senses. or was giving her a
small sample of his histrionic powers
When he had made an end of his speech,
however, she apparently could not help
bursting into an immoderate fit of laughter.
Rise up, you silly fellowi" she cried,
4" and don't make baby of yourself"
Her suppliant, who was in state of be-
wilderment, mechanically obeyed.
She continued: Upon my word, Mr.
Mackinnon, you have paid a great compli-
ment to my skill in preserving my looks.
Why, my poor bov, could really be your
mother l was 43 on my last birthday -
1t might have been expected that this
astounding piece of information would
have etfectually quenched the flame in the
breast of the unfortunate lover, yet it had
not that effect. ALAS ! Mademoiselle,
am sorry that the disparity in our years is
so great although l know you must be a
IA, III Il ,,,x-ca1f Pt,t hat Il,
age where true love exists? Believe me, il
you consent to our union, never will you
hear me refer to the dis"
Stop, stop, you foolish boy p the lady
cried. Even were | such a terrible fool
as you suppose, there is an inseparable
legal obstacle in the way
What is that?'' he asked, wonderingly.
"Why, I'm your aunt !" she replied.
MY sister Agatha was married to your
fatherl''
The modification experienced by our
hero, in consequence of the ludicrouS Incl
dent we have described, was extreme, and
il was few weeks before his mind recov-
cred its accustomed equanimity. When it
did, he resumed his college studies but
from the time lost and the still partially
unsettled state of his mind, he failed to
pass his examination, and gave up his in
tenllon Oh quaIlyiDg lor the ministry IN
disgust. His aunts company soon paid
another visit to the city, and she advised
him to try adapting French PLAYS. He
was tolerably successful in this, and by her
influence was able to get them placed with
some of the London managers He then
determined to devote himself entirely to
dramatic literature, and being much
thrown into the company of his fair cousin,
Miss Andersen mut nal affection orrw nm
between them, which eliminated in mar
rage. We understand they live very hap
PLY, although his wife does sometimes Joke
him on his love adventure with his aunt
Chambers Journal
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CONGESTION OF THE LUNGS, Inflammation